While this class won’t feature a deep offensive tackle group in the 2018 NFL Draft, there are a lot of interior linemen who will catch the eyes of multiple NFL teams. Heck, one of the best overall prospects in the Draft, if not the best, is a guard. Notre Dame’s OG Quenton Nelson will probably be taken in the top 10, long before the Dallas Cowboys are on the clock.
Sitting at 19, the front office will be in a comfortable position if their plan is to add yet another first-round offensive lineman to what already is one of the NFL’s finest units. Guys like Isaiah Wynn and Will Hernandez will likely still be on the board.
DT Vita Vea, WR Calvin Ridley, LB Roquan Smith and other prospects who could make an impact since week one could be long gone once it’s Dallas’ turn, so drafting an interior lineman would make sense for this football team if that’s the case. However, I’m not so sure it would be the right decision. Just last week, I wrote an article discussing why they shouldn’t take a guard in Day 1.
Billy Price is one of this year’s class best offensive linemen. Having played with Ohio State for four seasons, he has experience as a left guard, center and right guard. His versatility makes him a target for a lot of teams.
Unfortunately, Price suffered an unexpected injury during the NFL Scouting Combine at Indianapolis.
OSU OL Billy Price said he suffered an “incomplete pec tear’ and he will be ready for training camp. Getting a second opinion. He is “definitely happy it is something minor.”
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 2, 2018
Price isn’t the first player to suffer an injury during the Combine and he certainly won’t be the last. Sometimes, sadly, it happens. Although this brings up an interesting question, especially for the Dallas Cowboys… Will his injury make him fall in the Draft?
It’s still to soon to truly know, but Price is expected to return for training camp, so it probably won’t turn him into a third-round player.
The Dallas Cowboys were willing to take a chance on Jaylon Smith with their second-round pick, so it definitely isn’t crazy to rule out an instant-impact OL who will very likely be ready for week 1, or even earlier. Billy Price seems very confident about it being a minor injury.
#OhioState Offensive Lineman Billy Price suffered a partially torn pectoral muscle yesterday while competing in the bench press at the #NFLCombine. Earlier today he talked about his diagnosis and what his mindset is now. pic.twitter.com/FoTTbKHEXy
— Marisa Contipelli (@marisarae19) 2 de marzo de 2018
The Dallas Cowboys could use some help at left guard, but it really shouldn’t be a Day 1 priority. Billy Price’s situation might end up being something that makes this team wait until how the board looks like at pick #50.
If the injury isn’t as serious though, it’s tough to think such a great prospect like Price falls all the way to the 50th pick.
